CULTURE
Pick Up Stories
Sanshin, The Heart and Soul of Okinawa [CULTURE]
The sanshin is easily the most recognizable musical instrument in Okinawa. Its distinctive, high-pitched sound can be heard throughout the i...Read More
Hina dolls bring health, happiness to sm… [CULTURE]
‘Hina Matsuri is one of the customs that most people in Japan no more observe but that gives an insight to the Japanese thinking and traditi...Read More
Valentine's Day in Japan is all about ro… [CULTURE]
February 14, Valentine’s Day, is considered world over a day when romance blooms and lovers whisper sweet nothings to each others’ ears. See...Read More
2020.05.08
Okinawa’s wide variety of fruit and vegetables [CULTURE]
There are a wide variety of vegetables grown and consumed on Okinawa, a lot of which are unique to the island. In fact, a good number of Okinawa vegetables are such local specialti...
2020.04.01
Shiimi: A time to remember and honor the dead in Okinawa [CULTURE]
April marks the beginning of one of Okinawa’s most important and sacred religious ceremonies, known locally as shiimi. This particular ceremony takes place exclusively in Okinawa P...
2020.04.01
Okinawa’s guardian shisa has its own day on April 3 [History Travel & Beach]
April 3 is the “Day of Shisa” in Okinawa as four (April) is “shi” and three is “san” in Japanese. The day was established in 2002 to promote Shisa made in the Tsuboya district of N...
2019.12.30
Visiting Okinawan Shrines for the New Year [Okinawa Series Ryukyu History]
Have you ever partaken in a Hatsumōde? Have you even heard of a “Hatsumōde”? “Hatsumōde” is a Japanese custom where Japanese people pay a visit to a shrine or temple on January 1st...
2019.12.06
OKinawa Holiday Season Illumination Guide 2019!! [Community ENTERTAINMENT]
OKinawa Illumination Guide!! Okuma illumination Early November ~ Late February @Okuma Private Beach &Resort (913 Okuma Kunigami Village) https://okumaresort.com/seasoncampaign...
2019.11.19
Ginowan is founded on history, tradition and legend [Okinawa Series]
By Natalie Nakamatsu Ginowan City is located in the south-central part of Okinawa, on the west coast of the island facing the East China Sea. It borders Chatan Town and Kitanakagus...
2019.09.26
Motobu has more than Expo Park and Aquarium [Okinawa Series]
Motobu Town is located in the northern part of Okinawa, Kunigami District. The town has a total area of 54.30 square kilometers. Several islands can be accessed from Motobu such as...
2019.09.09
Shuri-jo Harvest Celebration, The ‘Chushu-no-Utage’ [CULTURE Ryukyu History]
Chushu-no-Utage, the Mid-Autumn Harvest Celebration, was one of seven banquets put forth by the Shuri royalty during the Ryukyu Kingdom Era in order to entertain guest envoys, the ...
2019.08.29
Kumiodori, Okinawa’s World-Renowned Performing Art [CULTURE Ryukyu History]
Kumiodori is a classical Ryukyu musical and theatrical performance that originated in the early 18th century. The Kumiodori is based on telling of story which is presented using so...
2019.08.27
Railroad helped build Yonabaru [Okinawa Series]
By Natalie Nakamatsu A little known historical fact of Okinawa is that it once had a railroad, and Yonabaru Town connected citizens to Naha City via a dozen stations. Yonabaru Town...
2019.08.19
All Okinawa Eisa Festival 2019 [CULTURE Festival]
The Zento Eisa Matsuri, the All Okinawa Eisa Festival, takes place every year on the first weekend after Obon. This tradition began in 1956 at what was then called Koza, what would...
2019.08.10
Okinawa welcomes ancestor spirits on Obon [Community]
Obon has a special place in the yearly calendar of Okinawan people. For three days from Tuesday, Aug. 13, through Thursday, local people observe, mainly at their homes, the three p...
2019.07.30
10000 Eisa dancers to take over Kokusai Street Aug. 4 [CULTURE Festival]
Rhythmic sounds of drums fill the air on Aug. 4th as thousands of dancers of all ages from some 70 groups will march along Kokusai Street in Naha in a seven-hour long procession. A...
2019.07.17
Land-locked Haebaru’s name is quite special [Okinawa Series]
Haebaru Town is the only municipality on Okinawa that doesn’t face the ocean, being land-locked and surrounded by six other cities and towns immediately southeast of Naha City. Its...
2019.06.13
Friends Abroad is looking for foreign members for the Culture Teaching Program! [Community Education Family]
Are you interested in an International Culture Exchange in Okinawa!? Now Friends Abroad is looking for foreign members for the Culture Teaching Program! Culture Teaching Program: I...
2019.06.13
Castle ruins is center point to Nakagusuku region [Okinawa Series]
By Jun Ikemura Nakagusuku Village is the second in Japan in terms of population density, following Kitanakagusuku Village, and has also been a key community dating to the 15th cent...
2019.06.05
The Eisa Night Schedule 2019 [CULTURE Festival]
Although this year’s rainy season seems to continue into eternity, another season is about to start. Okinawa City Tourism Association is hosting a series of Eisa Nights every weeke...
2019.06.01
Itoman Haaray; a traditional and fun event in southernmost of Okinawa [CULTURE Festival]
The Itoman Haaray takes place on Thursday, May 4th of the Lunar Calendar year. This day is actually June 6th 2019 of the Gregorian Calendar. Most people in Itoman adhere to the Lun...
2019.05.07
Kitanakagusuku Village boasts excellent feng shui [Okinawa Series]
By Natalie Nakamatsu Kitanakagusuku Village, once part of Nakagusuku Village with a rich and long history, is located in the Nakagami District of the central part of Okinawa. The N...
2019.04.26
Koinobori fly through Golden Week in honor of children [CULTURE Festival]
Koinobori, or carp streamers, are flying in many places on Okinawa during the Golden Week. Originally appeared as symbols for the Boys Day, they are now flown in honor of all child...
RYUKYU PRESS